Preview: Manchester Beer and Cider Festival

Organised by the nine Greater Manchester branches of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the Manchester Beer and Cider Festival is taking place at Manchester Central from January 25-27, with the promise of rare treats alongside old favourites in the 750-drink line-up.

The selection features specially commissioned beers, collaborations and ales rarely, if ever, seen in Greater Manchester. But the very best of the lively Manchester brewery scene will be strongly represented too.

The choice for drinkers will be spread across three huge bars serving real ale, alongside a dedicated bar featuring family brewers from the UK, alongside an Irish invasion from both sides of the border. Around 20 beers from ten Irish breweries will feature. A dozen brewers will be setting up their own bars inside the festival to showcase their products, and a KeyKeg bar will serve real ale by modern dispense.

Cider and perry lovers have their own bar, and fans of foreign styles can expect a superb range of beers from Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic, supplemented by a curated choice of beers from the rest of the world. And for those who like their ales in bottles — or who would just like to take home some — the Real Ale in Bottle bar will have a UK-wide selection.

Alongside the ales, there will be street food traders from the city and beyond.